Broadway’s Jordan Roth on Dressing with Distinction for the Holidays

“Our clothes are an expression of who we are and how we feel,” said Jordan Roth, president of Jujamcyn Theaters and the unofficial magic maker of Broadway’s biggest hits. This season, Roth has attended the openings of many shows, including Bruce Springsteen on Broadway, People, Places, and Things, and Torch Song. These events gave this red carpet regular even more of an excuse to elevate his wardrobe. Roth likes to adding drama to his dapper duds through color, print, and texture. He relies on designers like Alexander McQueen, Haider Ackermann, and Lanvin. “I think of the story — the people, the place, the energy, the experience — of where I’m going and how I want to feel,” he said.

Roth is the kind of chap with enough sartorial confidence to don a straight-from-the-runway red leather suit by McQueen. He suggests that more fashion-shy men should follow his lead. “Dress as joyfully and exuberantly as you want to feel — and you will," he said. “[Be] willing to wear something unique, and that feeling will transmit to others around you.” As an example, Roth mentioned how he wore a graphic Libertine suit for the Washington D.C. Premiere of Mean Girls. “You wouldn’t believe how many strangers stopped me to say hello.” Plus, he said, the American capital could use a little fashion love. "There’s not a lot of joy in D.C. right now!"

Getting down to specifics, Roth said gents can improve their wardrobe by focusing on low-key staples. “Yves Saint Laurent black jeans and boots [are] the perfect base to dress up or down,” he said. He also thinks no modern man's wardrobe is complete without a piece by Haider Ackermann. “[He’s] such a master of tailoring and poetic and graphic design,” said Roth, who has sported pieces by Ackermann on numerous occasions. As for pushing the envelope, Roth hopes to break barriers even further in 2018. “Skirts for men!” exclaimed Roth, “but let’s not call them manskirts. Skirts, like buns and purses, aren’t gendered. Let’s just wear them!”